SPL star Derek Riordan spent the May holiday in a cell after being arrested in a nightclub.

SPL star Derek Riordan spent the May holiday in a cell after being arrested in a nightclub.

The 29-year-old former Hibs and Celtic player – now with St Johnstone – allegedly got into a scrap with bouncers in the early hours yesterday.

He was arrested after being asked to leave the HMV Picture House in Edinburgh’s Lothian Road.

The footballer was held in custody and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Trouble flared later when Riordan turned up with friends at the Picture House, formerly Revolution, for a “Rev Re-Union” rave.

A source said: “Derek turned up at the Picture House with a group of mates.

“A lot of people were surprised to see him there as it’s common knowledge he was barred from most of the clubs in Edinburgh.

“It was a rave night with DJs who used to play there in the 90s when the place was called Revolution.

“He was asked to leave and started arguing. It looked like the bouncers were objecting to him being there but hadn’t stopped him getting in.

“Someone called the police and they came and arrested him.”

Riordan, who cannot be pictured for legal reasons, is subject to a 10-year nightclub ban in Edinburgh which excludes him from 45 venues in the city.

The player, capped three times by Scotland, was caught flouting a previous five-year ban in 2009.

A police spokesman said: “A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged assault and breaches of the peace following a disturbance at the HMV Picture House, Lothian Road in the early hours of Monday, May 7.

“He is scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, May 8.”